Texas Senator Mario Gallegos, District 6

Today marks the first day of the 2012 Hurricane Season and Senator Mario Gallegos urges all Texans to prepare for the possibility of a hurricane hitting the Texas Gulf Coast this summer. The National Weather Service (NWS) has recently predicted a “near normal” season. Historically, an average storm season produces twelve named storms, including three major hurricanes.

“Natural disasters often strike with little warning and can cause catastrophic damage,” Senator Gallegos said. “With proper planning and preparation, we can do our part to reduce the risk of damage and ensure the safety of our families and neighbors.”

In preparing for the 2012 Hurricane Season, residents should take the following steps to ensure their families and homes are safe in the event of a hurricane:

Create an emergency plan for your family. Have an emergency kit. Be aware of both radio and television stations that will convey important Hurricane-related messages. Prepare your home to withstand severe weather. Prepare an evacuation route and have a map in case plans change.

It’s also imperative that we ensure that our special needs populations are properly prepared. Here are some disaster planning tips for those affected with special health issues:

Register for transportation by calling 2-1-1. The 2-1-1 database is maintained by the state and administered by local officials to ensure that all special needs citizens are accounted for during a time of disaster. Recruit at least one “hurricane helper” to make sure that all needs are met. Make a list with essential information, such as medicines and doses, names and telephone numbers of physicians and contact information of friends and relatives. Talk to your physician about visiting out-of-town facilities and/or extra medication.

Taking the above steps will assist greatly in helping keep Texans safe during the 2012 Hurricane Season. For more tips on hurricane preparation, please visit:www.texasprepares.org.

Senator Gallegos serves as the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Flooding and Evacuations